I've long been a proponent of Blue Gum. Although I always enjoy a good bubble gum, I'm not really one for cinnamon or fruit gum. And I hate the green gums (Wrigley's Spearmint Gum may really keep you humming, Doublemint may let you have a secret party in your mouth at work, but it makes me gag. Fun, my Aunt Fanny. The flavor's gone in about 15 seconds—what's fun about that?). In fact, no matter how my breath rots, I rarely accept non-blue gum. And forget about the sugary gums. Unless you're chewing bubble gum (sugar-free bubble gum stinks—no bubble power), sugarless is the way to go.

But sugar-free blue gums have always provided that refreshingly adult taste that never ceases to please. Up until about a month ago, my gums of choice were either of the blue varieties of Extra Sugar-Free Gum (I have a special leaning toward the light blue, but the dark blue is also a flavorful treat).

Unlike the gum hoarders of the world ("Sorry, it's my last piece." Right.), I always offer gum to the gumless. I want everyone to bask in the pure refreshment of a good blue gum. And Extra blue gum is a real treat: it really does last an "extra, extra long time."

But there's something geriatric about Extra. The name sounds like it came from the creators of Feenamint (the laxative gum—which, by the way, is an excellent Joke Gum) or that gum that doesn't stick to your bridgework. Even so, I had never found a blue gum to match the refreshing bite and staying power of Extra. Until now.

I was a little wary at first. I've always hated those parsimonious little microsticks that Trident & Dentene try to pass off as a viable option to the classic slab of chewing gum. I suppose that "No Little Cinnamon Gum" ploy from Big Red really worked on me. But when met with a lack of Extra blue at a local 7-11, I decided to take the plunge.

I think the color of the package is what really sucked me in. It's a soothing, hypnotic, subtly greenish blue. And the name—reminiscent of The Freshmaker—promised a level of playful refreshment heretofore unknown.

And I wasn't disappointed! The Freshmint flavor is all it promises and more. It blends the sophisticated synthetic mint of the traditional Blue Gum with an unexpected hint of Wint-o-Green. But does it last? Oh, baby! Does it ever! This is the Mint to End all Mints, the Mint King, the Granddaddy of All Mints, the Megamint, the real Freshmaker! I don't care what you normally chew—this gum is better! If you doubt the pure taste explosion that such a tiny tablet of gum can create, you're in for a real surprise. The flavor power-punch this product packs has even toppled Presidents!